NFC North News and Rumors

You would expect uber-tough former Chicago Bears tight end and head coach Mike Ditka to shrug off most things that would take lesser men right out. If Ditka in his prime were attacked by an actual bear (cue the Swerkski Superfans), we're pretty sure he'…

The Lions complained after their loss to Minnesota that Vikings players took cheap shots at receiver Calvin Johnson and cornerback Chris Houston. The league office agrees with one of those. The NFL has confirmed that Vikings linebacker Jasper Brinkley w…

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Jim Harbaugh practically galloped through the locker room, lively as ever, offering a wave and a smile to long snapper Brian Jennings before putting his arm around right guard Alex Boone.

We begin our roundup of key injuries in the NFL with - what else - the quarterback position. Though the Chicago Bears' final injury report before Monday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers is not due until Saturday, head coach Lovie Smith has

NFC North Friday injury report

Let's take a quick look inside the Friday injury report: Chicago Bears: Because they play Monday, the Bears won't provide game designations until Saturday. But we already know that quarterback Jay Cutler (concussion) is out of Monday night's game agains…

Gunther Cunningham thinks anonymous rip of Suh “obnoxious”

Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham gave an entirely Gunther Cunningham response when asked about the anonymous scout’s comment that Ndamukong Suh was “coddled” and an underachiever. Cunningham called the comment “obnoxious,” and said

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 11: History rules: The Green Bay Packers have won 12 of their past 13 games against the Detroit Lions and 14 of their past 16, dating to the start of the 2004 season. Their most recent loss came in 2010, a game quart…

Official says Vikings have right for seat licenses

The head of the authority overseeing construction of a new Minnesota Vikings stadium says she expects any fees for personal seat licenses would be in line with those charged for other new stadiums recently built in the state.

James Jones’ past drops wind up working out for Packers

Packers wide receiver James Jones hasn’t dropped a ball yet this season. That’s worthy of noting for a player who led the NFL in drop percentage over the last three seasons. Plenty of those drops caused frustration in Green Bay, but there’s not much

Dominic Raiola upset that people are writing the Lions off

Lions center Dominic Raiola says his team still has a chance to make the playoffs, despite a 4-5 start. And he doesn’t appreciate suggestions otherwise. “I think what makes me upset more is people are writing us off because of whatever,” Raiola told

60 Minutes says Rodgers’ reaction proves that he’s sensitive

The ticking stopwatch finally struck “go” time. Last week, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed disappointment regarding the manner in which he was portrayed in a 60 Minutes profile. On Thursday, Rodgers reiterated his concerns. In response

Sports Columnists

INDIANAPOLIS -- Well, if the Colts are nervous about the showdown of 6-3 AFC teams with the big, bad Patriots on national TV Sunday, they're hiding it well. In the middle of the locker room Thursday afternoon, guard Mike McGlynn and long-snapper Matt Ov…

Why the NHL needs to rid themselves of Gary Bettman

Nov 16

Before getting to the Week 11 picks, let's take a moment to honor the incompetence of the NHL commissioner.